The typical proapoptotic function of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) can actually increase cancer cell survival via mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (MAPK/ERK) or phosphoinositide 3-kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt)-dependent pathways (Marques-Fernandez et al. 2013; Wei et al. 2001). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is cancer.